Finland is regularly ranked among the happiest countries in the world and has a high standard of public services. It has also become a popular destination for people moving to Europe. The obvious question is what it actually costs to live there.
Is Finland cheaper than other European countries, or do everyday costs like rent add up quickly? This guide sets out the cost of living in Finland in detail. Prices are drawn from recent survey data and change over time, so treat them as a planning baseline rather than a fixed figure.
Cost of living in Finland
The cost of living in Finland covers rent, food, transport, health services and the extras such as a gym membership and leisure. Rent takes the largest share of most household budgets, and the rest goes on everything else.
As a newcomer you can bring some of these costs down after moving to Finland. The following points are worth knowing:
- Helsinki is the most expensive city in Finland
- Oulu, Tampere and Turku have the strongest job markets outside the capital
- Rents in smaller cities run 30 to 40 per cent lower
- Chain supermarkets and local markets are cheaper than convenience stores
- Public transport costs far less than taxis
- Home internet costs EUR 30 to EUR 40 a month
- Private health insurance is worth holding until you are covered by the public system, and students applying for a residence permit must have insurance in place
- Taxes in Finland are high, so budget for them from the start
- The effective income tax rate on typical earnings runs from about 20 to 30 per cent, and it is progressive
Rent in Finland
A large share of your income after moving will go on rent. As noted, Helsinki is the most expensive city, and choosing a smaller city is the single biggest saving available. Average rent for a city-centre apartment runs up to EUR 1,400 a month, and up to EUR 1,000 outside the centre. To bring that down, live away from the centre and look at older buildings rather than new-builds. Students who share a flat or take a room in student housing cut their costs substantially in the first months.
Our guide to the Finland student visa covers what students need to know about applying.
The table below compares apartment rents across the main Finnish cities:
| City | Apartment rent in the city centre | Apartment outside the city centre |
|---|---|---|
| Helsinki | EUR 1,000 to 1,200 | EUR 700 to 900 |
| Tampere | EUR 700 to 900 | EUR 500 to 650 |
| Turku | EUR 600 to 800 | EUR 500 to 600 |
| Oulu | EUR 500 to 700 | EUR 450 to 550 |
Food costs in Finland
Food, restaurants and daily shopping make up the next large block, at roughly EUR 300 to EUR 350 per person per month. That figure moves up or down with diet and lifestyle.
Here are some typical grocery prices. For city-by-city data, see the Numbeo cost of living pages.
- White bread, 500 g: EUR 2.30
- Milk, 1 litre: EUR 1.12
- Eggs, box of 12: EUR 2.93
- Rice, 1 kg: EUR 2.40
- Boneless chicken, 1 kg: EUR 10
- Beef, 1 kg: EUR 19.23
- Apples, 1 kg: EUR 2.27
- Tomatoes, 1 kg: EUR 2.46
- Cheese, 500 g: EUR 3.19
To keep the grocery bill down, shop at Lidl and S-market, which are at the cheaper end. Buying staples such as rice and pasta in bulk helps, as does shopping on the days when supermarkets discount stock.
Transport costs
A single public transport ticket within a city costs EUR 3 to EUR 4, and EUR 4 to EUR 5 for longer zones. Monthly passes are better value if you travel daily. They cover buses, trams, the metro and local trains.
If you do not have a car and use public transport daily, the monthly pass beats single tickets comfortably. Students get a reduction of around 30 per cent on public transport.
Finland is a quiet country with a lot of open nature, and many people cycle for shorter journeys, which works particularly well in the smaller cities. For further reductions on travel, look at the following:
- Student discounts from VR, Onnibus and Flixbus
- Around 30 per cent off VR train fares for students
- Discounts with a student card on Onnibus and Flixbus
- Reduced children’s fares on VR trains
Leisure and lifestyle costs
The last block covers leisure, sport and similar spending. According to LivingCost.net, average spending excluding rent, covering leisure, food, internet and bills, comes to about EUR 800 per person per month. That varies with how you live and what you do. The table below sets out the main items:
| Item | Cost (EUR) |
|---|---|
| Meal at an inexpensive restaurant | EUR 10-20 |
| Meal for two at a mid-range restaurant | EUR 60-120 |
| McDonald's combo meal | EUR 10 |
| Coffee | EUR 4-6 |
| Cinema ticket | EUR 15 |
| Gym membership | EUR 30-65 |
| Tennis court | Up to EUR 30 per hour |
| Home internet and mobile | EUR 10-30 |
If you have just arrived and want to keep spending down for the first few months, cook at home rather than eating out. That alone saves in the region of EUR 300 a month. For leisure, use the cheaper options and the free public spaces: parks, walking routes and cycling.
Moving to Finland with Aval Visa
This article has set out the cost of living in Finland in the detail of everyday spending. Finland has low inflation and a high standard of public services, and prices are relatively stable, but they do move. Before you commit to a budget, check the reference sites named above for the latest figures.
If you are looking at Finland through a student visa or the Finnish startup permit, the team at Aval Visa can take you through the process. Contact our advisers and we can handle the administrative work while you plan the move.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Finland more expensive than other countries? Living costs, wages and taxes in Finland are all above the EU average, and the taxes fund public services such as health and education. On comparison-site data, the cost of living in Finland runs about 28 per cent below London and about 9.8 per cent below the United States.
- Which are the cheapest cities in Finland? Varkaus, Imatra, Kemi and Mikkeli are among the cheapest Finnish cities to live in.
- Which cities have the best pay and job opportunities for newcomers? Alongside Helsinki, Tampere, Turku and Oulu offer the widest choice of jobs and the highest salaries.
